…warn sponsors of Blackmail against Ekong Sampson, Otobong Ndem
By Paulinus NNAH
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Mkpat Enin LGA has praised Governor Udom Emmanuel for fulfilling his promise of siting a landmark Skill Acquisition Centre at Community Technical College, Ikot Akata in Mkpat Enin LGA. Chieftains of the party and youth leaders in the area described the project as a big boost to education and infrastructure development.
The commendation was made by PDP Ward Chairmen in Mkpat Enin LGA during a solidarity visit to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political/Legislative Affairs and Water Resources, Barr. Ekong Sampson.
The Ward Chairmen noted that Community Technical College, Ikot Akata, is one of the oldest technical colleges in Nigeria, addingthat it is gratifying that the College is receiving massive boost during the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
The Chairman of the PDP Ward Chairmen Forum, Mr. Dominic Okpudo, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said that the PDP ward chairmen in Mkpat Enin have frowned seriously at the attempt by some elements to sponsor blackmail against Barrister Ekong Sampson, Hon. Otobong Ndem and other elders by linking them to the recent protest by some youths in Mkpat Enin over the constitution of the Local Government Executive Council.
The Party Chairmen thanked Ekong Sampson for nominating one of the party officials into the Mkpat Enin LG Council EXCO and wondered why some mischievous elements would ever contemplate the Special Adviser protesting against his own nominee. Mr. Okpudo said that the PDP in Mkpat Enin remains grateful to Ekong Sampson for initiating and facilitating the construction of the PDP office in Mkpat Enin and for his enormous stabilizing influence in Mkpat Enin politics, hence, the solidarity visit to demonstrate their unwavering love for the Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin.
In a related development, the Chairman, Mkpat Enin Chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Hon. Emem Alexander, speaking with journalists in Uyo, totally exonerated Barrister Ekong Sampson from the said protest.
In Alexander’s words: “Fromour investigation so far, we found out that Barr. Ekong Sampson was not even aware. He did not know anything about the protest nor sponsor them, to the best of my knowledge”, Emem Alex said.
Hon. Emem Alexander, who was accompanied by the Youth Caucus Chairman in Mkpat Enin, Hon. Tony Evans, warned that any outsider indulging in manipulation of Mkpat Enin youths to destabilize the area should desist from such. To the youths, he said, “I will also advise the youths, that they should not allow any third party or any distant person to instigate problem between us and our leaders”.
Alexander said Governor Udom Emmanuel has done so much for Mkpat Enin, especially the recent siting of an ultramodern technical skill acquisition centre in Ikot Akata, assuring that Mkpat Enin youths will continue to support His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel to succeed.
A further reaction by Mkpat Enin chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom Youth Caucus and the Mkpat Enin Youth Leaders Congress, also warned against attempts to insult or blackmail Mkpat Enin elders, thus: “Mkpat Enin Youth Council and indeed Mkpat Enin youths generally frown, seriously, at attempts by some elements to sponsor blackmail campaigns against innocent leaders of Mkpat Enin over the protest”.
The release further stated that, “Mkpat Enin youths will not be part of any plot by some selfish elements, especially those from outside Mkpat Enin, to destroy our leaders for cheap political gains. This is more so as sponsors of these campaigns of calumny against our leaders have nothing to show for their stewardship so far, but have suddenly woken up from their slumber to run helter-skelter in an attempt to deceive Mkpat Enin people at the late hour”.
Secretaries-General of the groups who signed the release were: Hon. Kusinabasi Okoko for Youth Council, Comrade Edidiong Charles for Youth Caucus and Hon. Nkereuwem James for Mkpat Enin Youth Leaders Congress.
In another reaction, the Forum of Clan Youth Leaders and Village Youth Presidents in Mkpat Enin LGA, have issued a Press Statement, expressing sadness over the protest saga, which they described as an attempt by some mischievous persons to capitalize on a protest organized by a few misled youths, to tarnish the image of Mkpat Enin leaders. This, they vowed to resist.
The clan and village youth leaders stated: “It is an established fact that a house divided against itself cannot stand, as such, Mkpat Enin youths have collectively resolved to come together and speak with one voice for the good of Mkpat Enin. Nobody can use Mkpat Enin to fight Mkpat Enin”, while urging Mkpat Enin youths to remain calm, even in the midst of provocation by mischief-makers and their sponsors who, they said, are desperate to divide Mkpat Enin for their selfish ends.
Comrade Idongesit Umoetuk, Clan Youth President, Ikpa Ikono, all four clan youth presidents and village youth presidents signed the release, to represent the widest segment of Mkpat Enin Youth influence.
